Journalism and AI

I'm lucky enough to know some great journalists and ex journalists and we've hit on the AI in journalism issue a few times recently, I thought I'd explore that thought a little.

The topic of whether artificial intelligence (AI) offers more threats than opportunities is complex and has generated much debate in recent years. Even Elon Musk has called for a pause on advanced AI development. One aspect of concern is whether AI poses a threat to creativity and originality, particularly for writers. While news companies are already using generative AI to write stories, they have had mixed success. There is potential for data-driven news such as sports and weather, but comment and opinion are still best left to humans. Algorithms are also the secret editors that decide what we read, hear, and experience through social media and search engines, influencing how we consume news. However, AI is programmed by people with ideological and political biases, so it would be naive to think that AI will remove bias from journalism. In fact, it is equally naive to think journalism is unbiased now. AI can also be inconsistent and capable of making mistakes, and fraud is possible through deep fakes.

Despite these concerns, AI is already changing the way journalism is done. Automated news stories can be produced quickly and at a lower cost than human-written articles. They can also be produced in multiple languages, allowing news organizations to reach a wider audience. Personalized content recommendations are another way AI is changing journalism, allowing readers to access news stories that are more relevant to them, which can help to increase engagement and loyalty. AI tools can also assist journalists with tasks such as fact-checking, research, and analysis, and help identify trends and patterns in data that might otherwise be missed, particularly in investigative journalism.

While AI-powered journalism has its benefits, it is essential to consider the potential drawbacks and dangers. AI-powered news is not always accurate, and algorithms are not neutral. As AI continues to evolve and develop, it is important to assess its impact on journalism carefully and ensure that any potential threats are addressed.

The CEO of German media group Axel Springer has expressed that journalists are at risk of being replaced by artificial intelligence systems like ChatGPT, as the company seeks to boost revenue and transition to becoming a purely digital media company. The use of AI in journalism has proved controversial, as accuracy has been called into question, and news publishers are exploring the potential and limitations of machine learning, including ChatGPT. However, Axel Springer has promised that no cuts would be made to reporters, authors, or specialist editors, as media outlets must focus on investigative journalism and original commentary, while divining the true motives behind events would remain a job for journalists. In the future, AI may replace some jobs that supported the production of journalism, but only those who create the best original content will survive.